"The Hotsprings In Landmannalaugar..." Vestur-Skaftafellssÿsla by coceng

Vestur-Skaftafellssÿsla Travel Guide: 147 reviews and 267 photos

SKAFTAFELL<<<<<ELDGJA AND >>>>>THE BLUE LAGOONLANDMANNALAUGAR
ICELAND25th June 2004 (Friday)
In Skaftafell National Park, I woke up early at 6 am; Couldn't really sleep my ass off - so bloody cold ! Rushed to the toilet before anybody else would start to do their own flushings...
This is the day, I thought. My last day of The Omni Buspass but decided NOT to use it ! What a waste but I planned it that way.
I planned today the 25th June would be my special day, my last day in Iceland's remoteness; Before reaching back to Reykjavik.
I would take a whole journey to Landmannalaugar & reaching back Iceland's capital in the evening. The whole 12 hours trip !
Prepared that I had enough films (10 rolls or thereabout...); Waited for the 8 am bus infront of Skaftafell Centre; Bus number 11 A.
Paid the ticket (not cheap) - 10% discounts for Omni Buss Passport Holder...Ho hum.
3 passengers only : me & a young German couple; Plus the driver of course.
Outside the weather was gloomy; ...Please God ! Let the weather permit me for one last beautiful day !
God said no.
Started to drizzle at 9 am; By 10, rain was pouring vertically ! Hhmm, that was new to me, never had vertical rain before...
It got worst !
We reached Eldgja. The bus driver said, "We stop for 1 hour...Maybe you want to see Ofaerufoss Waterfall". I asked how long to get there, he said 30 minutes by walking !
Now I'm asking you guys...
Do you know how far you can walk for 30 minutes ?
The right answer would be 'depends on how fast you can walk !
Well, we certainly didn't want to stay in the bus. The bus door opened & the young German couple got out first after putting on their thick jackets...
Me got out slowly; Wearing only a thin rain jacket (that I bought at a 'cheap sales' bin here in KL, a few years back).
Underneath it, my long sleeve cotton shirt, stripey...NO Gloves.
Strong winds blew on my face ! Damn Cold ! Plus, the 'vertical downpour' straight on my (already) 'frosted' body...
The bus door closed behind me.
It's not really heavy rain just drizzling rain, blown by super strong wind... coming at me; Now that was annoying !
Followed the couple & minutes later they were lost from my sight.
I walked through the moss-covered rocks, dried black larva. These are supposed to be Iceland's 'heritage'. Once they are damaged, it's ir-reversable !
Only God knew that I did step on them; Oh ! Now you all know about this too...
The wind & the rain blew me strong ! Like they're getting at me...
I started to feel numb !
Kept on walking; At the same time, juggling with my camera, taking the sights which tickled my fancy...
At the same time, the vertical rain attacked me again & again from the front !
It's just so annoying...

15 minutes walking...still no sign of the waterfall; No sigh of that young German couple either.
By this time, my fingers started to feel numb ! Me legs felt numb !
5 more minutes, 5 more minutes, I assured myself.

Landmannalaugar...

The Journey...
Started in Skaftafell National Park at 8 am; Stopping for a while in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, then continued to Eldgja (Fire Canyon).
Stopped there for about 1 hour; To see Ofaerufoss Waterfall.
Continued to Landmannalaugar & it was a dangerous bus ride, treading on melting glaciers - slippery !
Stopped for about 2 hours in Landmannalaugar. Had a dip into the hotsprings...Not much to see because of heavy rain.
Slowly, moving out from the area, stopping in small places like Leirubakki, Hella & Selfoss. Reaching Reykjavik at 7 pm.~For this journey, I took many photos for my memories & also to share with you guys ! Hence, I present the photos by these pages so that you would understand the area much better, I hope !

PAGE 1 : Showing the road journey from Skaftafell National Park; Most photos taken from the bus as it was bad weather outside...~PAGE 2 : The most beautiful sights inside ELDGJA GORGE !
Plus the Ofaerufoss Waterfall.~PAGE 3 : The dangerous bus journey from Eldgja to Landmannalaugar ! Snow-covered roads & heavy rain outside the bus ! Scenic nonetheless...~PAGE 4 : The hotsprings in Landmannalaugar & the bus ride passing the central of Iceland, slowly back to Reykjavik...
Enjoy My Photos !

Pros and Cons

Pros:One Of Iceland Scenic Journey...
Cons:For Me, It Was Marred By Bad Weater...
In a nutshell:A Must If You Love Nature (Even With Bad Weather)...

Last visit to Vestur-Skaftafellssÿsla: Jun 2004
Intro Updated Aug 12, 2004
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Comments (3)

matcrazy1 Jan 3, 2005 at 4:53 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful pictures!
XenoHumph Aug 27, 2004 at 9:37 AM Report Abuse

Great page on your Icelandic adventures!
dassi Aug 3, 2004 at 4:13 PM Report Abuse

It is a shame that you did not get into Landmannalaugar one of my favorite places